The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) announced Thursday (July 22nd) that it will be completing the Shabomeka Lake Dam Rehabilitation Project, near Bon Echo Provincial Park this fall.
The existing concrete control structure will be demolished and replaced.
The new apparatus will help mitigate extreme water conditions and protect the lake in a changing climate,
adding an electrical bascule gate, fortified cut-off wall and a north embankment overflow channel.
An early drawdown of the lake is required before work can begin.
The drawdown will begin the week of August 23rd.
The lake will drop 5-10 cm per day before reaching the minimum required level by September 15th.
Access to the north shore will be provided downstream of the worksite for the duration of the project.
By completing the work in the fall, the MVCA will be able to return the lake to seasonal water levels in the spring.
For project updates please visit: www.mvc.on.ca/shabomeka.
The tentative project schedule is listed below.
Shabomeka Lake Draw-down Timetable:
Dates
Proposed Works
Target Levels
July 26th – Aug. 22nd
Site clearing, water levels gauge removed.
271.10 – 270.90
Aug. 23rd – 29th
Drawdown begins. The lake will drop 5-10 cm per day.
270.90 – 270.20
Aug. 30th – Sept. 6th
Drawdown continues.
270.40 – 269.50
Sept. 7th – 14th
Drawdown finishes. Access to the structure is restricted.
269.90 – 269.30
Sept. 15 – 30th
Staging area set up, cofferdam and access road are installed. Demolition of existing control structure.
269.40 – 269.30
Oct. 1st – 31st
Excavation of SCB trenches, construction of the new control structure. Embankment crest heightening, placement of rip rap on the upstream face.
269.40 – 269.30
Nov. 1st – 30th
Installation of the bascule gate.
269.40 – 269.30
Dec. 1st -24th
Testing and commissioning of new structure.
269.40 – 269.30